Apparatus for lenticulating film



July 24, 1951 D. F. WINNEK APPARATUS FOR LENTICULATING FILM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1947 INVENTOR.

Jag/as 75 341111416 D. F. WINNEK APPARATUS FOR LENTICULATING FILM July 24, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Jag/r1; 7? 3471111! July 24, 1951 I D. F. WINN-EK 2,562,078

APPARATUS FOR LENTICULATING FILM Filed Aug. 29, 194'? z Sheets-Sheetfi g 5 5 i F I ,nl"

Patented July 24, 19 51 UN-l TED TAT-"E 5 FATE NT oFF I-CLE APPARATUS FOR LENTICULATING FILM DfiflglasFfWihnek, Atlantic CityfNid Application August 29, 1947, Serial No. 771,220

jTh'is invention relates to appa'ratus for 'le' l latirig transparent sheet "material, 1:61 exa fihlile "cellulose'acetate or other material sujeh asis used for photographic film, as well 'as' other plastic sheet material. More specifically, the invention is directed to improvementsin apparatuflor car- -trying outpro'ceduie such as described andclaim'e'd in my Patent No. 2,296,804, granted September 22, 1942, "for Embossing Sheets "of "Cellulose Acetate andth'e Like. 'Animport'ant example of an artifcle made by'the present apparatus is lentic'iilar film to be used for stereo-photography,or'trans- "parent screensfor "taking, printing or viewing Composite stereog'raphs,which areipicturesdividedinto minute image'c'o'mponents each'of"'whi'ch is subdivided into aspectelementssu'ch thatvvh'en "viewed through a lehti'culanresolving screen or the him, a multiplicity of different aspects of the entire "picture are respectively seen at a corresponding multiplicity of localities. 'Asare'sult, .sti'eo's'copic effects are obtained, preferably such as-"to be observed within a'cor'isiderabledateral range ofrlistance'at the viewing'pos'iti'on.

Ai'pre'ferred type of lent'icular filmor screen comprise "a -sheet of transparent material er'nibb's se'd With a"mu1tip1icity of "minute, parallel, eeflti'guous ridges, ea'ch havinga surfaceconsist- "ingof a sectionof acylind'er or "other surface of f'opti''callt effective shapa'desig'ned to focu incid''nt, parallel rays of light in a"'corresponding line behind the lenticulated surface, "e. g, in'a planeat or behind the opposites'urface of the film. 'In'thesame mannerj'such' a screenyef'g. vvh'en'used over the printedimag'e o f aeom'posite stereegra h for viewin th latterflfocuses rays of light from the several, linear as ect elements behind each ridge 'or other *le'riticul'ation, into 'beam Hive'rgent from th'e'iaceof thesereihin difi'eient -dir'ecti0'ns'," each directed b'am th'us' 'rep "resenting only-a single a-spect 'ele'ment. -Forbest 'i'esuIts-the lenticulations should be veryfin'e; for 'ifi'stancefthere s'h'olild ordiria-iilybe at least about 1200 ridges perinch, and -preferably 30O'or more. Each such ridge moreoVer'J -mustbe --t'ri1e, straight and as nearly optically perfect as pc'iss'ible, throughout its length -from"to'ltfto Eb OttOmO f the picture-for greatest sharpness andclarityfofdefinition and for eptimnrn sterees'cbpie or other relief -characteristics with respect to the accomp fiym picture.

-For photographic purposes, 'fil'mfhaving adesiredbase thickness 'ahdh'av'ing a m ting ofs'ensitive emulsion'on one side"exposable by light through 'the'opposite side-is converted to use in making negative or positive stereographs, by em- 'en'ee may 'be made to r'rly Patent "No. -"2,296,804 mentioned above, and particularly to my present- '13; @Opendih'g application "sel i'al No. 771,219, 'fil'ed August 29, 194 7 ,f0'r Composite'stereog'raphy.

"Inni cited Patent No. 2,296,804, a continuous .she'e't' of'film or thelik'ei'spas'se'd, under pressure,

aroundan embossing roller, "while at the same time a suitable solvent 'is used, efgJsu'ch asace- 'ton'e orethermaterial appropriate to "soften'the cellulose acetate or "other substance of whichth'e film is made. This is a peculiarly effective type of operation and a'cco'rdiriglythe apparatusherein 'sh'own'aridj described as ame'Xalmple of "the present invention embodies "the Use Of 'aSOlVfit to soften the film.

Important objects of "the invention are top'rovide improved, more accurate and more fli'ci'ent apparatus of "the character described; to provide 'l'eriti'cul'ating' apparatus specially designed 'to'h'andl'e'film carrying a sensitive 'emulsionfalthough capable of handling uncoated "sheet material), eg. acontinuous strip offi1m;"to"providesueh apparatus which is effective to emboss short pie'c'es'of "film as well as long ones; toprovide apparatus which "can be loaded, adjusted arid controlled'with greatfacility; to'provide'n'ovel and improved arrangements for spreading and applyingsolvent it being extremely desirable that the solvent reach the entire surface of thefilmo'r the embossing cylinder with gr'eatuniiormity and'in carefully regulated amount; and to affordfimproved ffilm' supplying and advancing "meansand other improved "features "and combinations "in such machines. I

To theseand other ends, including such as'are hereinafter apparent or otherwise incidentaito the'use'and practice of the'prese'nt improvements, one advantageous embodiment of the'invention'is d'isclos'edbyway of example in the accompanyin drawings and in the foll'owingdescri'ption, which will serve to "demonstrate the "various -nov'el fea 'tures' and combinations, as well as their underlying'principles;

Referring to the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views taken "from respectively opposite sides fof a'film lenti'cu'lating machine 'in accordance with "the "invention, oertain part being broken away in one or another of these figures;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of the lenticulating machine;

Figs. 4. and 5 are diagrammatic elevations of a part of the machine shown in Fig. 3, but showing also certain supporting structures and illustrating the belt guiding rollers in respectively operative and open positions;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the film reel housing;

Fig. '7 is a perspective diagram of the film reel drive;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view, with certain portions broken away, of the solvent-applying mechanism of the lenticulating machine; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view on line 99 of Fig. 3.

Reference may first be particularly made to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8, which show the general organization of the apparatus as well as some of its primary features. The illustrated machine comprises spaced upright supporting plates I, 2, carrying bearings 3, 4 for the shaft 5 of an embossing roller 6, which is thus mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, the bearings 3, 4 having upper parts 8 hinged so that they may swing open to permit removal of the roller 6 with ts shaft, e. g. for replacement by another roller when desired. The cylindrical surface of the roller 6 is machined to constitute a matrix or die, with a multiplicity of contiguous, annular grooves I adapted to emboss the desired lenticulations upon the surface of a film pressed against the cylinder. Cooperating with the embossing roller 6 are a pressure roller II and guide or idler rollers I2, I3, rotatable on horizontal shafts and operatively mounted in the relation indicated by Fig. 3, the counter roller I I substantially abutting one upper side of the roller 6, with the roller I2 spaced somewhat from the other upper side of the roller 6 and the roller I3 disposed substantially beneath the latter.

An endless web or strip of suitably flexible and preferably absorbent material such as finely Woven duck, canvas or the like I5 (wide webbing of nylon being especially suitable, and also being unaffected by acetone) extends around the guide rollers I2, I3 and the pressure roll II, and thence in a reverse direction around the embossing roller 6 back to the guide roller I2, all as indicated in Fig. 3. Adjacent the machine a reel box I! having a light-tight door I8 (Fig. 6) supports, on horizontal axes, a supply reel 20 and a receiving reel 2| for film to be lenticulated by the embossing roller 6. The continuous film strip 23 is thus unwound from the upper reel 20, leaving the box through a slot 24 which is lined with felt or other light-blocking material. The film strip passes around the counter roller II, on the surface of the belt I5, and thence continues around the surface of the embossing cylinder 6 beneath the belt. The film is further carried on the outer surface of the belt around the rollers I2 and I3, whence it passes through a similar light-tight slot 26 to be rewound on the receiving reel 2|.

In accordance with the usual practice for film supplying or rewinding mechanisms, appropriate slipping, retarding or yieldable or other compensating means may be provided to the extent necessary in the shafts for the reels, e. g. as schematically indicated at 21, 28 in Fig. '7. The shaft 29 of the receiving reel is positively driven by a pulley 3B and belt 3| extending to a corresponding pulley 32 on the shaft 33 of a variable speed motor drive unit designated 35 (Fig. 1). The embossing roll 6 may also be positively driven from the motor 35 by means of a sprocket 36 turned by a chain 37 passing around a sprocket 38 on the motor drive shaft 33. Thus the embossing roll is positively actuated and likewise the shaft 29 of the film winding reel, the latter including suitable means as explained above to compensate for the necessary decrease in angular velocity of the roll of film as it builds up with a constant circumferential film speed governed by the positive drive of the cylinder 6.

A supply of solvent such as acetone is contained in a tank 40 from which it flows by gravity through a pipe 4| having appropriate valve means as indicated at 42 in Fig. 1 and 43 in Fig. 8. The pipe 4| communicates with the interior of a hollow shaft 45 journalled at its ends in appropriate supports 46 and carrying a tubular spreader assembly generally designated 48, the disposition of the supports 46 (as hereinbelow explained) being such that the spreader assembly may be positioned in direct rolling contact with surface of the embossing cylinder 6.

While other solvent distributing or spreading arrangements may be employed, the illustrated structure (Fig. 8) comprises a cylindrical shell 49 having a multiplicity of perforations 50 throughout its surface, which is completely covered on its exterior with a winding of permeable fabric, e. g. a winding 5| of nylon cord or thread 52. Centrally spaced within the shell 49, the hollow shaft 45 is likewise pierced with a multiplicity of openings 54 throughout its extent, the remote end 55 of the shaft being closed against escape of liquid. It will now be seen that as liquid flows down from the tank by gravity it is rapidly and effectively distributed first along the interior of the shell 49, particularly along the lowermost inner surface thereof, and then passes through the apertures 50 and effectively wets the cord winding 5|. The latter, which is in contact with the surface of the embossing cylinder 6, transfers a distributed film of the solvent to the surface of the cylinder, in a peculiarly effective manner to insure that the entire surface of the cylinder is wet by the liquid. Indeed it has been found that the minute annular or helical ribs of the cord winding 5| cooperate effectively with the annular grooves of the embossing roller in the spreading operation.

For ready insertion of a film strip and also for cleaning or removal of the embossing roll 6, the several rollers I I, I2 and I3 are movably mounted and means are also provided for adjustably positioning the roller I3 to maintain a desired tension on the carrier web I5. Referring specifically to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 the shaft of the roller II is journaled at its ends in a pair of arms 6| which are mounted on a shaft 62. The shaft 62 is journaled in the side plates I, 2 and has a projecting portion carrying a handle 64, the arrangement being such that upon turning the handle the arms 6| are rocked to swing the roller II toward and away from the embossing roller 6. The roller I2 has a shaft 65 similarly journaled at its ends in a pair of triangular plates 66 which are in turn mounted on a shaft 61. The shaft 61 is journaled in appropriate supports 68 secured to the side plates I, 2 and likewise has an extension carrying a handle ID by which the plates may be rocked to move the roller I2 between the positions of Figs. 4 and 5.

The shaft II of the bottom roller I3 is journaled in a pair of rocker arms I2 which are piv- 'ioted :at their :mid-pointsuponstub. shaftsl 3. ;pro .iectinginwardly from .the side members I, .2. :Theexrocker :armszarextied together,- -so as to con- :stitute .a rigid .frame for .rotative support of-1the 'rollerwtl 'by ea rod ildyat the .{other endz of the arms. As indicated LinFigs. -1 and .2, the arms aand rzplates just :described. and show-nldiagrammatica'l'l-y in'slii-gs. 4 and :5 are essentially dupli- :cate'cl=. .on :bothsides :of the-rollers, but for convenience reference will be :made simply to the that the stud l1 presses against the edge 18 :and

when the arm B| isrocked clockwise :tothe' pm ';sition of Fig. 5, the studmoves into a-notch 81 in the edge 18, thus releasably holding the'EdHeI' in open position. Acam 82 carried-on a-shaft 83 which-is journaled in the side members and hasian operating .k-nob 85 (Fig.2) is arranged to-abut a lower corner or side B6 of the arm .6.l, the1shape of the cam being such that when the-arm 61 .is in the positionof Fig. 4 the-knob 85.can be turned clockwise (and held inadjusted :position, if desired, by suitably releasable ratchet means, not shown) whereby the cam tends to .iforce the arm 6| in a .counterclockwise direction, providing a desired pressure between the counter roller H and theembossing roller' fi.

For the .plate .65 a similar locking arm 90 is provided,mounted on a shaft! and carrying a stud -92. The arm is. spring-urged toward the curved lower surface .93 of the member -56 by a sprin 94, so that the stud may be selectively engaged .in one or the other of a pairnof. recesses 95, :96 spaced along the edge 93. Thus when the arm-:66 and roller l2 are in the position -'of. Fig. 4 the stud 92 is seated in the: recess ".95. Upon rotating-the shaft-67 by turning the handle :18 counterclockwise, the stud -is' first .forced .out'of the recess .95 and then, .after travel ing along the edge 93, :is ,reseated in the notchallfi, holding. the parts in ,the position of Fig. :5, but releasable. for their return displacement :uponmoving the zhandle H1 in the opposite direction.

For adjusting the tension on the web l5 by means of the roller I3, a cam I00 is provided, mounted on a shaft Ill! and disposed to engage an :outer corner or edge of the rocker arm 12, e. g. adjacent and beneath the rod 14. The shaft [0| carries a .gear 102 meshing with anotherwgear I735 on an operating shaft I06 which carries aknob Ill! (Fig. 2) outside of the plate 2. The gear m6 is also provided with releasable ratchet means 109130 hold the train in a desired position. It will thus be seen that upon turningthe knob clockwise, the cam 100 is urged counterclockwise, thus tending to rock the arm 12 clockwise about its pivot 13 and to pull the roller 13 down to tension the web [5. The parts are then'held in tensioned position by the ratchet arrangement I99. To release the cam I00 the ratchet is released and the knob I01 turned in the reverse direction, or simply allowed to turn by counter pressure of the rocker arm 12. In either event, when the upper rollers ll, 12 are separated and thereby raise the lower part of the web [5, the arml'Z is free to-swing counterare disposed in the open. .relationship o clockwise, :lpenmitting thedroller 13- toiaccupy an .upper.:position.as shownzin Fig.5;

The arms 61 also carry upward :ext'ensions generally designated H10 on whichiareimounted Thei extensions 5H0 :may. also but will facilitate the initial operation of threading the film through the machine. When the arms .61 are rocked to separate- -the 'roller All from the iembossing roller, the distributing roller 48 is similarly separated, it vbeing'au'nderstomi that theuzconduit 4-! (Fig. .8) may ibe m'ade of flexible material toaacoommoda'te such-displace- -sment of the. distributing roller.

It will inowibe seen that if the several' parts a: film :may I be easily threaded through e machineon thexiweb or belt l.5, :the filmpassin outside the rollers .l I., I2 and 13 but :under the' roller 6,1. e..between it.an'd the' belt. So threaded-Mom .a supplyreelill. thehther e-n'd'of the film ma'y lbe securedtothe take-up reel-2| andth'e door 18 of the reel be closed. Thereupon the han xdlesifi l and. 78 are rocked respectively in counterclockwise and-clockwise directions, to'- bring-the rollers H, 12 into the position of Fig. =4. The studfll having snapped out of the notch 8'l' at the .outset -ofdsuch displacement, -a'nd'the arm '61! havingbeen mo'vedto the position of Fig. 4; the. knob. is then turned clockwise to tighten the roller i i--aga'instthe embossing roller 6,-"lo'y means of the cam 82. Upon-rocking the shaft G1, .the stud 9 2 has snapped out of the newb es and is :reengaged in the notch 95, the arm 66- and roller l2 being then releasab'ly held int/he 'pos i tion of Fig. 4 with the roller close 'to but spaced from the embossing roller.

At the same time the roller 13, being relatively heavy, drops down by gravity to its lowerpositionso that thecam till] can be turned up against the edge of the rocker arm. by appropriate c eration of the knob 1 0 1. Tension is'thus-applied to the belt l5 to the desired extent, and the machine isready for operation. Uponopening the valves 42' and 43-to the required-extentfsolvent flows through the distributor roll 48 and down over the surface of the embossing'roller 6, forming a very slight pool between the roller and the approaching film '23, as-"shownin' 'exag gerated fashion at H4 in Fig. 3. "Ihereupon the motor 35 is started and the embossingroller 1B and takeup reel 21 are set in operation.

As the -film' passes between the rollers "Band 11' and then on around the roller 6,-its surfaceis promptly softened by the solvent, and the pattern of the embossing roller, namely the design of the desired lenticular ridges, is accurately embossed in the-surface of the film, running continuously lengthwise of the latter. 'By the time the film separates from the roller -6, having been in'contact'with the latter for at least about onehalf of its circumference, and'preferably more as shown, the rigid configuration is 'fullyset. Further setting and drying may occur'if necessary during thesubsequent passage of the film around the rollers l2 and I3 so that upon its rewind on the reel 2| the desired lenticulati'ons are rigidly and permanently embodied in the film surface. It will be understood that during the actual running of the-machine, it should be kept in a darkened region, or at least there should be'no light of such character as might partially exposejor fog the sensitized emulsion-of' the film.

It will also be understood that the emulsion or sensitive surface is disposed against the web l and thus away from the roller 6, throughout the course of the film in the apparatus.

Upon completion of a run, and in preparation for a further run, the knobs B5 and I01 are loosened, the latter by release of the ratchet mechanism, and the handles 64 and 10 are swung in an opposite direction to open the rollers II and I2 away from the embossing roller, i. e. restoring the parts to the position of Fig. 5.

The described machine affords a desirably continuous operation for figuring film or other flexible, transparent sheet material in the manner described. It is capable of handling film of various widths and the several adjustments necessary to threading the machine and maintaining proper pressure and tension are easily accomplished. At the same time, the desired result of embossing is achieved with remarkable uniformity and accuracy and the film as rewound is thus immediately ready to be used, e. g. when cut in sheets of appropriate length, in a camera of the sort described hereinabove or in other equipment for taking or reproducing relief pictures. The web not only provides a support and cushion for the film, particularly around the cylinder or roller 6 and at the pressure region between the rollers II and 8, but also absorbs any excess solvent that might overflow the edges of the film, which preferably has a shorter transverse dimension than the web. As a matter of fact, however, the illustrated spreading arrangement provides an effective distribution of the solvent with such careful regulation that there is little if any overflow during actual operation, or at least not appreciably more than is advantageous to insure softening of the film as explained in my Patent No. 2,296,804.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific apparatus herein shown and described but may be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In lenticulating apparatus, in combination, an embossing roller having a multiplicity of close- 1y adjacent minute, lenticular shaped depressions distributed continuously over the surface of said roller, film handling means including means for maintaining film under pressure against the surface of said embossing roller and for removing film therefrom, and means for supplying solvent liquid to the surface of said embossing roller, said means comprising a hollow roller disposed adjacent the surface of said embossing roller and having a multiplicity of perforations for dis tribution of liquid in said hollow roller axially along the surface of the embossing roller, and means for supplying solvent material to the interior of said hollow roller, said liquid supplying means being adapted to eifect distribution of liquid throughout the embossing roller surface, and said film pressure maintaining means including means pressing the film against the roller for softening the film by the solvent liquid and for embossing the fihn in conformity with the lenticular shaped depressions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow roller comprises a perforated cylinder having an outer covering of pervious, fibrous material, said outer covering being disposed in contact with the embossing roller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow roller comprises a hollow cylinder having a multiplicity of perforations, a concentric tube of substantially smaller diameter than said cylinder disposed therein, said tube being connected at one end to said solvent supply means and at the other end having a plurality of perforations for distribution of liquid into the cylinder, said cylinder having an outer wrapping of continuous fibrous cord constituting a cylindrical outer sur-, face of pervious character, and said cylinder being disposed parallel to the axis of the embossing roller and in contact therewith at a region circumferentially spaced from a region of contact of the film with the cylinder.

4. In apparatus for lenticulating film, in combination, an embossing roller, a counter roller mounted for movement into and away from a position wherein said counter roller urges a film under pressure against the embossing roller, pivoted means for rocking said counter roller into and out of said position, and cooperating cam means adapted to engage said pivoted means for urging the counter roller toward the embossing roller.

5. In apparatus for lenticulating film, in combination, an embossing roller, a cooperating counter roller adapted to urge film under pressure against the embossing roller, mounting means for said counter roller, said mounting means being pivotally mounted to rock about an axis spaced from the axis of the roller and being thereby movable to shift the counter roller into and away from a position of pressure engagement with the film and embossing roller, and releasable locking means for holding the counter roller away from said position.

6. In apparatus for lenticulating film, in combination, an embossing roller, a cooperating counter roller adapted to urge film under pressure against the embossing roller, mounting means for said counter roller movable to shift the counter roller into and away from a position of pressure engagement with the film and embossing roller, releasable locking means for holding the counter roller away from said position, rotatable cam means adapted to engage said mounting means upon movement of same into position for pressing a film against the embossing roller and means for turning said cam means to exert pressure on the mounting means, for thereby causing the counter roller to exert said pressure.

7. In apparatus for lenticulating film, in combination, an embossing roller, a plurality of cooperating rollers carrying a continuous film-supporting belt, said cooperating rollers including a pair of rollers disposed in proximity to said embossing roller for passage of said continuous belt around a substantial portion of the surface of said embossing roller, means mounting said pair of rollers for movement into and away from their aforesaid positions of proximity and means for shifting said mounting means to move the rollers, said pair of rollers being disposed, in their said positions of proximity, to hold the belt normally in contact with the said portion of the embossing roller surface, and said pair of; rollers being adapted, on movement away from said positions, to displace the belt away from the embossing roller at substantial parts of the aforesaid portion of its surface, to afford access to said embossing roller, the aforesaid cooperating rollers including a fourth roller engaging the belt and having movable mounting means and tensioning means for urging said movable mounting means in a direction to tension the belt, said tensioning means being releasable so that said fourth roller may move to relieve tension on the belt when the pair of rollers are displaced away from the embossing roller, the aforesaid pair of rollers, in their aforesaid beltdisplacing movement, being adapted to pull the belt against said fourth roller, said fourth roller and its movable mounting means being biased to move in a direction toward the belt, and being shiftable in an opposite direction, when the ten sioning means is released, upon pressure by the belt against the fourth roller, and said movable mounting means being thereby adapted to move automatically, upon release and in response to displacement of the belt by displacement of the pair of rollers, to effect said tension-relieving movement of the fourth roller.

8. In apparatus for lenticulating film, in combination, an embossing roller, a plurality of cooperating rollers carrying a continuous filmsupporting belt, said cooperating rollers including a pair of rollers disposed in proximity to said embossing roller for passage of said continuous belt around a substantial portion of the surface of said embossing roller, means mounting said pair of rollersfor movement into and away from their aforesaid positions of proximity, said mounting means comprising a mounting device for each roller, adapted to rock about an axis spaced from the axis of the roller so that the roller may swing laterally of the embossing roller toward and away from the aforesaid positions, and means for rocking the mounting devices to move the rollers, said pair of rollers being disposed, in their said positions of proximity, to hold the belt normally in contact with the said portion of the embossing roller surface, and said pair of rollers being adapted, on movement away from said positions, to displace the belt away from the embossing roller at substantial parts of the aforesaid portion of its surface, to afford access to said embossing roller.

DOUGLAS F. WINNEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 988,981 Danzer Apr. 11, 1911 1,327,091 Egerton Jan. 6, 1920 1,612,714 Geyer Dec. 28, 1926 2,077,508 Bierer Apr. 20, 1937 2,143,627 Knowland Jan. 10, 1939 2,182,168 Bierer Dec. 5, 1939 2,296,372 Smith et a1. Sept. 22, 1942 2,358,176 MacDonald Sept; 12, 1944 

